Atlanta Falcons' Devonta Freeman (33) celebrates after he scored against the Houston Texans during the fourth quarter of an NFL preseason football game Saturday, Aug. 16, 2014, in Houston. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)

The 2014 fantasy football season is fast approaching, so the time to prepare is now. PennLive will publish its player rankings, along with stats, projections and analysis for the top 150 players in fantasy football. The goal is to paint a quick portrait of every key player on draft boards and lend a hand to an often-difficult decision-making process.

We begin today with Nos. 126-150, a group that is highlighted by high-upside rookies such as Devonta Freeman and Johnny Manziel, as well as eight defenses worth considering as potential bargains. In standard "snake" drafts, these 25 players represent some of the last quality names on the board.

Solid veteran players such as Kyle Rudolph, Andy Dalton and James Starks can be found this late in many leagues, and they must be weighed against high-upside sleepers. Ideally, a well-balanced roster would have a quality blend of known commodities and young, unproven players. The goal is steady production AND explosive potential.

Rudolph struggled to meet lofty expectations last season but was still on pace for career-best receiving numbers before breaking his foot in Week 9. The 6-6, 259-pounder was slow out of the gates after hauling in nine touchdowns in a breakout 2012 campaign. He finished with 30 catches for 313 yards and three touchdowns in eight games.

Optimism runs high that Rudolph can rebound, with playmakers around him and promise for improved quarterback play. The biggest development, though, is the arrival of offensive coordinator Norv Turner, whose schemes maximize the contributions of tight ends. Turner was most recently behind Jordan Cameron's success in Cleveland.

Rudolph is a tremendous athlete for his size and is built for success in the red zone. He now has 15 touchdowns in 39 career games despite lackluster quarterback play that could improve if Teddy Bridgewater wins the starting job. Turner has made more with less than Rudolph, too, making him an intriguing post-hype sleeper in fantasy drafts.

Randle had a nice run of fantasy relevance last season, when he caught 18 passes for 298 yards and six touchdowns in six games between Weeks 5 and 11. A former second-round draft pick in the 2012 NFL draft, Randle took another step forward in 2013 with 41 catches (on 80 targets) for 611 yards and six touchdowns.

Among the Giants' receivers, Randle could stand to benefit the most from two notable offseason changes. The departure of veteran Hakeem Nicks in free agency should free up looks, and the new offensive system being installed by coordinator Ben McAdoo could feature shorter looks that are in Randle's wheelhouse. More targets should be on the way.

The Giants selected Odell Beckham in the first round of the NFL draft, and he'll surely be utilized. But Randle is in better position to start and could be poised to take the Year Three leap that is common among wideouts. If quarterback Eli Manning improves his play and Randle keeps his job, across-the-board improvements should be expected.

Freeman is the future of the Falcons' backfield, a quick, compact back with better-than-expected power and abilities as a receiver. He enters a competition with Steven Jackson and Jacquizz Rodgers with the potential to steal third-down work right away while emerging as the likely feature back if Jackson has lingering injury issues.

Freeman stands at 5-8 and 206 pounds and enters the NFL as a fourth-round pick in the 2014 draft. He was the starting tailback for Florida State's national championship team last season, leading the way with 1,016 yards and 14 touchdowns along with 278 receiving yards and another score. He made his mark with an elusive, physical style.

Freeman has landed in an ideal scenario to get immediate work. Jackson is on the downside of his career, while Rodgers has proven little more than a third-down specialist who's averaged just 3.6 yards per carry. With his injury and age concerns, Jackson demands a handcuff, and Freeman has already leap-frogged Rodgers as the best man for the job.

Evans is a virtual clone of new teammate Vincent Jackson and could see his career develop on a similar trajectory. They're both 6-5 and 230 pounds, Jackson a 10th-year veteran and Evans a rookie with a chance to learn the ropes from a player with similar size and stature. Together, they could help the Buccaneers' offense reach another level.

Evans has made an early impression in training camp as an explosive receiver with red-zone potential. Selected No. 7 overall in the 2014 NFL draft, Evans and fellow draftee Austin Sefarian-Jenkins are part of a new wave of talent for the reloading Bucs. The offense should also be steadier with veteran Josh McCown the presumed starting quarterback.

Few rookie wide receivers make a sudden leap to stardom, so expectations should be tempered for Evans. He'll be 21 years old when the season kicks off and he enters the NFL with questions about how quickly he can learn the nuances of his position. Still, that size and athletic ability are worthy of a late-round gamble to add a jolt of upside.

Dalton gets a bad rap in fantasy, with his playoff failures and hot-and-cold production looming over his preseason value. He had uneven moments again last season with three or more interceptions in four of his last eight games followed by a third straight one-and-done in the playoffs. Dalton threw for 4,293 yards, 33 touchdowns and 20 interceptions.

Dalton got the ultimate nod of approval by Bengals management this offseason, inking a long-term extension to stay with the team. Their belief is that Dalton still has plenty of untapped potential. The same could be said in fantasy as Dalton has seen his completions, attempts, yards, touchdowns and interceptions rise each season.

Dalton is carrying more of the load on an offense that has playmakers at every position. That trend should continue this season, giving Dalton an opportunity to take another step forward and become a more consistent contributor. All the while, his bottom-line numbers make for an explosive QB2 with matchup-based starting potential.

Starks is a perfectly capable veteran who has flashed qualities worth owning in fantasy leagues over his four NFL seasons. He had arguably the best campaign of his career in 2013, filling in admirably when Eddie Lacy missed time to compile 493 yards, 5.5 yards per carry and four total touchdowns (three rush, one receiving) in 13 games.

For his career, Starks has averaged 4.4 yards on 322 carries. The 6-2, 218-pounder is a trusted option for Packers coach Mike McCarthy and the clear-cut No. 2 option on the depth chart. He delivered a big performance in a similar role last season with 20 carries for 132 yards and a touchdown in a Week 2 win over Washington.

While Starks has had injury woes himself, he backs up a running back in Lacy who costs a first-round pick in fantasy drafts and comes with injury concerns. When healthy and given opportunities, Starks has proven solid while getting his share of goal-line work. For Lacy owners, he's a must-handcuff option in the late rounds of drafts.

Reed showed glimpses of brilliance last season as an excellent target with soft hands. He missed the final six games of the season with a concussion after emerging as a go-to option for quarterback Robert Griffin III. In just nine games, Reed caught four or more passes seven times and finished with 45 catches for 499 yards and three scores.

Washington has undergone dramatic transformation in the offseason with sweeping changes on the coaching staff and the addition of Pro Bowl wide receiver DeSean Jackson. Griffin is a rebound candidate after laboring through much of last season with a bum knee and tension with coach Mike Shanahan. If healthy, Reed stands to benefit.

Reed was on a 16-game pace for 80 catches, 105 targets and 888 yards as a rookie last season. While the counting numbers could fall short of those marks in 2014, overall improvement and better red-zone performance should mean a nice bump in touchdowns. Neither Jackson nor Pierre Garcon represents stiff competition for red-zone looks.

With Jamaal Charles entrenched as the Chiefs top playmaker, Davis got all the time he needed to adjust to life in the NFL. He logged just 22 carries in his first 12 games before carving out a bigger role in the final four weeks of the season. Davis finished with 242 rushing yards and four touchdowns and added 67 rushing yards and two TDs in the playoffs.

Charles isn't going anywhere as the Chiefs' starter, so it remains to be seen how Davis will be integrated into the attack. He's a talented back, though, who showcased his abilities when Charles was held out in Week 17, carrying 27 times for 81 yards and two touchdowns. He has exciting potential with raw speed and strength.

Of course, as a backup to one of the NFL's most prolific runners, Davis is a purely speculative draft choice in fantasy. If Charles were to miss any time, Davis has the skill set and the offensive system to be an impact player right away. Until then, his explosive ability should be kept in perspective. Davis' value is tied directly to the health of Charles.

The Denver Broncos threw major dollars at defensive upgrades this offseason, inking veteran pass rusher DeMarcus Ware, cornerback Aqib Talib and safety T.J. Ward to free agency deals. They also added rookie cornerback Bradley Roby in the draft, addressing most of the unit's shortcomings from last season.

Ware and linebacker Von Miller can rejuvenate the pass rush. Talib can be a lockdown corner. Ward is a physical safety who can defend the run. By cranking up the heat on opposing quarterbacks and adding playmakers to the back end of its defense, Denver can take a leap forward in fantasy scoring, even if it still surrenders points in bunches.

As Peyton Manning guides the NFL's most explosive offense, the Broncos will be playing with leads against opponents that look to beat them through the air. With improved personnel, the Broncos can not only limit the scoring damage, they can take advantage with sacks and turnovers. If Miller (knee) is healthy, this is a surefire top-five unit, likely more.

Helu has been more than adequate when called upon for the Redskins, averaging 4.3 yards per carry with seven career TDs in three NFL seasons. He's been relegated to a backup role since the rise of workhorse Alfred Morris, but last season filled a valuable niche with 274 rushing yards and four touchdowns along with 31 receptions for 251 yards.

Helu's abilities as a pass-catcher are intriguing as the Redskins undergo top-to-bottom changes on their coaching staff. First-year coach Jay Gruden prefers an offensive scheme that utilizes his backs as receivers, which is a big point in Helu's favor. Morris is a two-down back who has just 20 career catches in two seasons.

Helu must still compete with talented rookie Lache Seastrunk, but assuming he begins the season behind Morris on the depth chart, his value should get a sizable boost. The former Nebraska product is an underrated commodity in PPR leagues, but he could also be involved enough as a runner to demand attention in standard leagues, too.

The Panthers' front seven is a monster of a group that has made an otherwise-ordinary secondary look like Pro Bowlers. Carolina led the NFL in sacks last season and ranked No. 2 in total, scoring and run defense. The rare mix of pressure from a four-man front, dominance on the interior and dynamic linebacker play made Carolina a fantasy force.

Minor moves were made in free agency, but the core group of DEs Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson, DTs Star Lotulelei and Kawann Short and LBs Luke Koechly and Thomas Davis all return. Hardy is the lone question mark as he could face disciplinary action for an offseason assault case, but even a suspension won't cut dramatically into the unit's production.

There are all kinds of formulas for fielding a dominant defense in today's NFL, but Carolina's formula will always work. By stuffing the run and generating consistent pressure without risky blitzes, life is made easier on the secondary. Defensive backs are free to roam and make plays while the front seven churns out sacks and consistent low yardage totals.

The 49ers have one of the NFL's most physical and sound defenses. They limit scoring opportunities and get after the quarterback. They are ferocious against the run and have arguably the NFL's best linebackers, led by inside 'backers NaVorro Bowman and Patrick Willis. They're among the safest week-to-week bets in fantasy football.

But are they worth selecting where their average draft position dictates (9th round in ESPN; 7th round in Yahoo!)? Maybe, though the immediate and long-term prognoses of Bowman and Aldon Smith will determine how good this defense can be. The unit has issues in the secondary and doesn't force enough turnovers to make up for key personnel losses.

For the 49ers, the scheme means more than the individuals who execute it. In that regard, Bowman's recovery from knee surgery doesn't make or break the unit's value. But San Francisco does take a turn for the ordinary and falls a step further behind the high-powered Seahawks defense. The 49ers are stable, yes, but no longer a dominant force.

Anderson is all about speculation entering the 2014 season. He's talented enough and in the right offense to find legitimate fantasy value if or when he gets significant carries. Anderson was dinged up in the Broncos' preseason opener, but his regular-season status shouldn't be affected. He has an outside shot to start Week 1 if Montee Ball (appendicitis) isn't ready to go.

The assumption is that Ball will seize the starting job and run with it. And while that's likely correct, Ball remains an unproven player who could yield carries to Anderson if ball security or blocking issues arise again in his second season. Ball's appendicitis could also open the door for early carries if he's limited for Week 1.

For those investing an early pick on Ball, there's enough risk to warrant handcuff consideration with Anderson. Ronnie Hillman is also in the mix for carries, but appears to be the clear No. 3 early in training camp. At a bare minimum, Anderson is early insurance for Ball as he recovers. In a less likely scenario, Ball falters and Anderson capitalizes.

Austin was largely a disappointment as a rookie last season, disappearing often but still flashing the game-breaking speed that made him the No. 8 pick in the 2013 NFL draft. Austin offered explosive performances in Weeks 2, 10 and 12, but was otherwise a non-factor in totaling 40 catches for 418 yards and six total touchdowns.

As a slasher and run-after-catch specialist, Austin was as advertised last season. He averaged just 10.5 yards per catch, but was also a factor on kickoffs, punts and as a rusher with nine carries for 151 yards and a touchdown. Billed as a Percy Harvin clone, Austin made a similar, less impactful debut and was too erratic to be useful in fantasy.

If the Rams can keep finding new ways to get Austin in space, he can do the rest with elite speed. He will get more opportunities as a rusher, receiver and kick returner in his second season, which offers hope for a breakout. Austin is being rightfully drafted as a bench option, but his upside among other WR5 candidates is unrivaled.

The Cardinals had the NFL's best run defense last season (84.4 ypg) and allowed the fifth-fewest yards per pass (6.5 ypa). They were driven by veteran defensive linemen Darnell Dockett and Calais Campbell upfront, but also had one of the NFL's most dynamic secondaries, led by All-Pro CB Patrick Peterson and emerging safety Tyrann Mathieu.

The result was a defense that ranked No. 5 in fantasy scoring and cranked out positive point totals in all 16 games. The Cardinals were opportunistic with 20 interceptions, tied for fifth-most in the NFL, and at times dominant, holding seven of their 16 opponents to 15 points or fewer. The same, consistent formula is in place for 2014.

Mathieu (knee surgery) won't be ready by Week 1, but SS Deone Bucannon was drafted in the first round and veteran CB Antonio Cromartie was signed in free agency. The loss of LBs Daryl Washington and Karlos Dansby is a concern, but there's plenty to love about a stout front and athletic secondary that smothered the pass and creates turnovers.

Manziel is a legitimate factor in the Browns' quarterback competition, even if coach Mike Pettine has been quick to debunk rumors that he is the frontrunner for the job. Manziel is improving and appears to be a focal point of the Browns plans under offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan, who crafted a similar offense for Robert Griffin III in Washington.

Manziel has made "a lot of improvement" in training camp, Pettine told Cleveland.com. He's worked primarily from the "pistol" formation in the preseason while showing promise as a runner on a handful of read-option plays. Manziel still must beat out Brian Hoyer for the starting job, a scenario that's looking better and better by the day.

In terms of ability in fantasy leagues, there's really no comparison between Hoyer and Manziel. With his electrifying rushing ability, Manziel has margin for error as he hits inevitable bumps in the road. In the event he wins the Browns' starting job, Manziel could rise to a fringe QB1 in fantasy. The hype is ridiculous, yes, but in fantasy, Manziel deserves it.

The Cincinnati Bengals managed their way through a season-ending knee injury to Pro Bowl DT Geno Atkins and still finished as the No. 4 defense in fantasy leagues. Since then, the Bengals have lost DE Michael Johnson but made upgrades to their secondary with rookie CB Darqueze Dennard and safety Danieal Manning.

The Bengals ranked fifth in the NFL against both the run and the pass and created the third-most turnovers (30). They teed off on subpar offenses, particularly within their own division, with 32 fantasy points in two games against Cleveland, a 25-point effort against the New York Jets and 31 points in two games against the Baltimore Ravens.

The AFC North should be a little more dangerous, but the Bengals should be equally improved. Johnson's loss hurts, but should be offset by the presence of Atkins, one of the league's most dominant defensive tackles. The transition to first-year coordinator Paul Guenther shouldn't be an issue in fantasy, either, making the Bengals a safe bet for top-10 production.

Bradshaw played in just three games last season after suffering a neck injury, otherwise he would be much more than an afterthought in fantasy drafts. Still just 28, Bradshaw has a history of producing quality numbers in platoon situations, most recently rushing for 1,015 yards and six touchdowns in his final season in New York in 2012.

Had Bradshaw not been sidelined, he would have likely taken the lion's share of carries after Trent Richardson arrived from the Cleveland Browns. He boasts a 4.6-yard career rushing average, two 1,000-yard seasons and 37 total touchdowns, all numbers that dwarf those of Donald Brown, who out-performed Richardson in 2013 with 537 yards and eight total TDs.

With Brown gone in free agency and Vick Ballard out for the season, Bradshaw has another prime opportunity. Richardson is being pegged as a post-hype sleeper candidate, but he's no sure thing after averaging just 3.0 yards per carry last season. Bradshaw is an injury risk, of course, but he also only costs a late, late pick. He's worth plucking for a bench spot.

Boykin was a bright spot for the Packers as their season began to slip away in 2013, breaking through when WR Randall Cobb, TE Jermichael Finley and QB Aaron Rodgers all missed time with injuries. That audition resulted in 49 catches for 681 yards and three touchdowns and an inside track to replace James Jones as Green Bay's No. 3 wide receiver.

With Jones now in Oakland and Finley a free agent, the Packers have more targets to go around. Jordy Nelson and Randall Cobb are the clear-cut Nos. 1 and 2 WRs, but a fast-moving offense should deploy enough three-receiver sets to keep Boykin involved. And with Rodgers running the show, that's all Boykin needs to be fantasy-relevant.

The Packers will lean more on running back Eddie Lacy, but will also benefit from a healthier Rodgers and offensive line. As a whole, the unit should be more explosive than ever. The question for Boykin is, can he play with enough consistency to take advantage and enter the WR3 conversation? It's possible if he takes another step forward in his development.

The Chiefs masked many of their flaws last season with a dynamic pass rush and an inordinate display of playmaking. They ranked second in the NFL in takeaways (31) and scored 11 defensive and return touchdowns, including at least one in five of their first six games. Momentum slowed late, which was equal parts injury and expected regression.

Kansas City's winning formula relied on stellar play from linebackers Tamba Hali, Justin Houston and Derrick Johnson and a tone-setting performance from safety Eric Berry. Dontari Poe was a revelation last season, and 11 different players recorded interceptions. While Hali and Houston drove the pass rush, plays were made by virtually everyone.

The Chiefs are arguably in worse shape in their secondary in 2014, having lost cornerbacks Brandon Flowers and Dunta Robinson and safeties Quintin Demps and Kendrick Lewis. But those issues won't be fatal as long as the pass rush bounces back, maybe even gets a boost from rookie Dee Ford. Even so, the Chiefs are a top-10, not a top-five, defense.

Murray brings an intriguing mix of size, speed and upside to a Raiders backfield that could sorely use it. He's a wild card next to Maurice Jones-Drew and Darren McFadden as he comes back from a knee injury that cost him his rookie season. Murray is a 6-3, 225-pound back who posted big numbers in the 40, broad jump and vertical jump at his pro day in 2013.

The two major criticisms of Murray in fantasy are his health and the idea that he plays slower than his 4.38 in the 40-yard dash, according to NFL draft pundit Mike Mayock. A sixth-round pick in the 2013 NFL draft, Murray still must compete for the No. 3 job behind Jones-Drew and McFadden. Health will go a long way toward determining his fate.

Murray has a unique blend of size and speed, so he shouldn't be written off in a competition with two accomplished veterans. Neither Jones-Drew nor McFadden are trustworthy in fantasy football leagues, which means an investment in one or the other will require a handcuff. So long as he escapes the preseason unscathed, Murray is a high-upside gamble.

Entering the 2014 NFL draft, Benjamin had the reputation as being a bona-fide red-zone threat with raw receiving skills. A tight end in a wide receiver's body, the 6-5, 240-pounder fell to the Panthers with the No. 28 overall pick. For a team that made lateral moves otherwise, Benjamin joined the roster with high expectations he can contribute right away.

Benjamin was a standout on Florida State's national championship team with 54 catches for 1,011 yards and 15 touchdowns, including the winning touchdown in the BCS national championship game. He was a force in the red zone with his size and massive 83-inch wingspan, raw attributes that appealed to the Panthers' void of playmakers.

Is Benjamin ready for primetime? It's hard to imagine a smooth transition for a player with raw skills in an offense with a lack of support. Veterans Jerricho Cotchery and Jason Avant pose little threat to Benjamin's opportunities, but his 2014 success all comes down to him. In fantasy, Benjamin should score enough touchdowns to be useful.

The St. Louis Rams can pressure the quarterback as well as any team in the NFL, led by Pro Bowl DE Robert Quinn. Quinn ranked second in the NFL with 19 sacks last season, while DE Chris Long (8.5 sacks) also ranked among the league's top 30. Even so, the struggling Rams secondary ranked last in the NFL allowing 8.1 yards per pass attempt.

The Rams have improved depth and brought in defensive coordinator Gregg Williams to add more layers to the pass rush. Meanwhile, the team addressed its already-young secondary through the draft with the additions of CB Lamarcus Joyner, SS Mo Alexander, CB E.J. Gaines and FS C.B. Bryant. The unit will likely still have its struggles.

So there's the rub with the Rams. Potent and powerful upfront, mediocre and/or inexperienced in the back. The additions of DTs Aaron Donald and Alex Carrington stabilize the interior but don't solve arguably the team's biggest weakness. The sacks will be terrific, the run defense will be improved, but the pass defense will still struggle.

All things considered, the Patriots overachieved defensively last season by allowing the 10th-fewest points (21.1 ppg) in the NFL. They played middle-of-the-road pass defense and struggled against the run, largely due to injuries to NT Vince Wilfork and LB Jerod Mayo. Both players are back in the fold in 2014, joined by a handful of other significant upgrades.

New England made a splash in free agency by letting CB Aqib Talib walk and replacing him with Darrelle Revis. CB Brandon Browner also signed a free agent deal, and DT Dominique Easley was drafted in the first round. If Wilfork and Easley are both healthy and Revis maintains Pro Bowl form, the Pats should be better against both the run and pass.

Revis is a huge move for the Pats, helping to shore up a secondary that ranked 18th against the pass last season. His ability to lock down half the field should make New England's entire unit better, from the pass rush to the secondary's playmaking ability. Run defense is worth watching, but the Pats are otherwise due for across-the-board improvements.

Smith was a hit in his first season with the Chiefs, establishing himself as a franchise quarterback after being supplanted by Colin Kaepernick in San Francisco. He played his brand of high-efficiency football that yielded career-highs in passing (3,313 yards) and touchdowns (23), as well as a big jump to 431 rushing yards, sixth-most among quarterbacks.

Smith was exactly the kind of steady hand that coach Andy Reid sought when the Chiefs traded for him. Consistency was also his strength in fantasy, despite being held without a touchdown pass on six occasions. Boosted by unexpected rushing contributions, Smith posted 11 double-digit fantasy outputs and was the No. 15 quarterback in 2013.

The Chiefs are unlikely to make drastic fixes to an offense that wasn't broken, so it's hard to see Smith's numbers rising or falling dramatically in 2014. Running back Jamaal Charles should again be a force as a receiver, and few changes were made at the skill positions. One word of caution: the Chiefs will be replacing three starters along their O-line.